CELL MEMBRANE COATED PITS Meaning and
Definition
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Cell membrane coated pits are specialized structures found on the cell surface of eukaryotic cells. These pits are invaginations or depressions on the cell membrane that contain proteins and other molecules necessary for various cellular processes. Coated pits are called so because they have a distinctive protein coat, consisting primarily of clathrin, surrounding the inner surface of the pit.
The cell membrane coated pits play a crucial role in several important cellular functions, such as endocytosis and receptor-mediated endocytosis. Endocytosis is the process by which cells internalize substances from the extracellular environment, while receptor-mediated endocytosis specifically involves the uptake of specific substances that bind to specific cell surface receptors.
During endocytosis, the cell membrane coated pits serve as initial sites of invagination. The clathrin protein coat provides stability and shape to the pit and helps to capture cargo molecules, such as nutrients or signaling molecules, from the extracellular environment. Once the invagination is complete, the coated pit becomes a coated vesicle that detaches from the plasma membrane, carrying the captured cargo molecules inside the cell.
The cell membrane coated pits are dynamic structures that require precise regulation and coordination of various cellular machinery. Defects in the formation or functioning of coated pits can lead to altered cellular processes and dysfunctions, contributing to various diseases and disorders.
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